Evaluating Bleeding Wound on Young Burr Oak: Bacterial Wetwood and Structural Risk

Evaluating Bleeding Wound on Young Burr Oak: Bacterial Wetwood and Structural Risk Young burr oak has a wound leaking sap. Callus tissue forming around it. Burr oak wound Diagnosis Callus = tree is compartmentalizing

Mystery Leaflet Drop on Honey Locust: Seeking On-Site Diagnosis

Mystery Leaflet Drop on Honey Locust: Seeking On-Site Diagnosis 20-ft Skyline honey locust drops healthy leaflets (no chew marks, no discoloration) from SW side (2/3 lost). No herbicide/insecticide used. No insects seen.

Identifying Lichen vs. Disease on Maple Trunks and Managing Frost Cracks

Identifying Lichen vs. Disease on Maple Trunks and Managing Frost Cracks Maple trees have white spots on trunk and splitting bark. Woodpecker damage also noted. White Spots = Lichens Lichens are harmless, epiphytic, and

Treating Rust Fungus on Dipladenia: Drainage, Light, and Fungicide Selection

Treating Rust Fungus on Dipladenia: Drainage, Light, and Fungicide Selection Dipladenia (Mandevilla) in a northern climate has rust spots on leaf undersides. All flowers dropped; none returning. Diagnosis: Rust Fungus Or

Addressing Stunted Leaves on Sunset Maple: Root Competition and Fertilization

Addressing Stunted Leaves on Sunset Maple: Root Competition and Fertilization A 15-year-old sunset maple has small, stunted leaves this spring. Four hostas at base. Bark looks normal. Causes Root competition: Hostas abs

Environmental Leaf Blotches on Oakleaf Hydrangea: Transplant Stress and Weather

Environmental Leaf Blotches on Oakleaf Hydrangea: Transplant Stress and Weather Recently planted Snow Queen oakleaf hydrangeas in Kingman, KS (Zone 6b) show large brown blotches on upper leaves. Plants are not wilted. No

Tricolor Beech Decline: Borers, Not Sun, in Northwest Indiana

Joes 6-ft tricolor beech (planted autumn) shows brown curling leaves on one section and scattered leaf holes. Planted 30 ft from mature maple (east) and black walnut + pines (west). NW Indiana location. Diagnosis: Borer

Garden-Wide Spider Mite Outbreak After Mulch/Redesign: Breaking the Cycle

Sherril in Zone 8 (San Jose area) faces massive spider mite infestation after importing redwood mulch and redesigning. Tibouchina worst affected—yellow/orange leaves, holes, possible whiteflies. Geraniums yellowing with

Bee Balm Powdery Mildew: Cultural Control First, Fungicide If Needed

Carrolls bee balm (Monarda) shows powdery mildew on lower leaves. Why Bee Balm Gets Mildew Monarda is highly susceptible. Dense growth, shade, overhead watering, and poor air flow create ideal conditions. Cultural Mana

Red Apple Ice Plant Collapse: Water Management and Recovery

JHs ice plant (Aptenia cordifolia) in San Diego turned brown, smelly, and slimy after rain following irrigation. Hillside planting, well-drained soil. Fertilizer and fungicide failed. Dieback spreading. Cause: Waterlogg

Fig Orchard Fungal Disease: Sanitation and Fungicide Strategy

Tonys 3-year-old fig orchard in the Middle East (early August) shows brown leaf spots starting centrally, premature fruit drop with thick skin, no visible worms or stem threads. Diagnosis: Fig Leaf Spot / Fruit Rot Comp

Powdery Mildew on Cherry Tree: Identification and Control

Fine white powdery substance on leaf undersides of a 2-year-old cherry tree. Diagnosis: Powdery Mildew Common fungal disease (Podosphaera species) on cherries. Appears as white talcum-like coating on leaves, shoots, som

Japanese Maple Scale Infestation: Simple WD-40 and Oil Treatment

Rinjis laceleaf Japanese maple shows white cottony masses on stems at 3-4 locations. Diagnosis: Scale Insects Soft scales or mealybugs—immobile sap-feeders under waxy covers. Cotton candy appearance suggests mealybugs o

Ganoderma on Palms: Why Atomic Grow Isn't the Answer

Derrell asks if Atomic Grow (pine oil-based) can treat Ganoderma fungus on palms. Clarifying Ganoderma Ganoderma is a genus of wood-decay fungi causing butt rot/root rot in palms. It produces conks (shelf mushrooms) on

Apple Orchard Fruit Set Optimization: Frost, Heat, and Nutrition Management

Harender manages an apple orchard in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (low elevation = early season). He seeks strategies for good fruit set despite frost and heat damage, plus a nutrient program. Weather Risk Management Frost

Pindo Palm Decline in Arizona Clay: Drainage and Care Fixes

Mikes 3.5-year-old Pindo palm in Arizona clay soil looked good initially but declined after 6-9 months. Nurseryman amended with compost. Mike bored sand-filled holes 2 ft out, fertilized in a ring, added sulfur. Brief im

Green Film on Crown of Thorns: Moss/Fungus from Overwatering

Ellens Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) shows green discoloration spreading up branches and into thorns. She suspects fungus or mold. Diagnosis: Algae/Moss from Excess Moisture The green film is almost certainly harmle

Pachypodium Leaf Curl: Light, Water, and Fungal Solutions

Nicoles Pachypodium (Madagascar palm) produces new leaves that turn grey and die at ~1 inch long. Two plants showed this after yellow mushrooms appeared in pots. Repotting with washed roots and fresh soil helped the firs

Cactus Producing Offsets at Apex: Blooming Signal or Propagation Opportunity?

Annes cactus has developed four babies crowded at the top rather than the usual base position. She wonders whether to remove them or let nature take its course. Expert Insight: Likely Flower Buds, Not Offsets The apical

Carnivorous Plant Resources and Venus Flytrap Care

Bill shares carnivorous plant nursery links and discusses Venus flytrap dormancy requirements, noting many buyers underestimate the specialized care these temperate plants need—particularly winter dormancy. He also inclu